Panaji: The directorate of food and drugs administration (FDA) has advised street vendors, kiosks, fast food operators, food business operators and others to refrain from wrapping eatables in newspaper. This is because newspaper ink, which contains multiple bioactive components having negative health effects, contaminates the food. Used newspapers also contain pathogenic microorganisms.

“Wrapping food in newspapers is an unhealthy practice and consumption of such food is injurious to health, even if the food was cooked hygienically. Old people, teenagers, children and people with compromised vital organs and immune systems are at a greater risk of acquiring cancer-related health complications, if they are exposed to food packed in such material,” read a statement issued by FDA on Wednesday.

FDA along with Nestle India Limited and National Association of Street Food vendors has trained 1,029 street food vendors in food safety and hygiene since it started a training program titled Serve Safe Food@Street Food in November. Twenty-three training sessions were held in Bambolim, Vasco, Margao, Calangute, Canacona, Curchorem, Quepem, Bicholim, Canacona, Panaji, Mapusa, etc where FDA received great support and cooperation from local bodies including the municipal council and the panchayat.

The FDA will also depute food safety officers to follow up with vendors to see if they are complying with practices highlighted during their training. Any deviation will be dealt with strictly as vendors can no longer plead ignorance.